Softball

Softball Sweeps Becker In Doubleheader

NORTH DARTMOUTH, MA-The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth's softball team swept visiting Becker, 8-0 and 9-1, in a non-conference doubleheader Tuesday at the UMass Dartmouth Athletic Complex.

Both games were called after six innings due to the eight-run rule.

In the first game, junior pitcher Brittany Eldridge (Raynham, MA/Bridgewater-Raynham HS) gave the Corsairs an early lead with a two-run home run in the bottom of the first inning. In the third inning, after stealing second base, freshman shortstop Emily Pontes (Tewksbury, MA/Essex Agricultural Tech HS) scored on a single by freshman outfielder Marissa Arponen (Plymouth, MA/Plymouth HS), giving the Corsairs a 3-0 lead. After a scoreless fourth inning, a double by junior third baseman Tracie Calvert (Sandwich, MA/Sandwich HS) plated two more runs for the Corsairs in the bottom of the fifth, putting them up 6-0. In the sixth, junior first baseman Kaitlin Hogan (Tewksbury, MA/Shawsheen HS) singled to score Pontes then scored the game-ending run on a single by Arponen.

In the second game, Eldridge got the Corsairs on the scoreboard in the first inning, scoring Hogan on a double to left field. Senior outfielder Michelle Conway (Burrillville, RI/Burrillville HS) scored on a single by Arponen, giving the Corsairs a 2-0 lead after three innings. UMD exploded for six runs in the fourth inning, fueled by two-run home runs by Eldridge and Conway. Freshman pitcher Julia Greenwood (Westport, MA/Westport HS) came in relief for Eldridge and surrendered a run off a double by Hawks freshman first baseman Whitney Buck (Old Town, ME/Old Town HS), making the score 8-1 after five innings. The Corsairs closed out the game in the bottom of the sixth when junior outfielder Elizabeth Mulready (Rockland, MA/Rockland HS) scored on a double by junior infielder Hannah Rounds (Lincoln, RI/Lincoln HS), securing the 9-1 victory for UMD.

Eldridge (6-7) earned the win in both games, combining for eight scoreless innings and allowing five hits with seven strikeouts. Hawks sophomore pitcher Talan Barron (0-3; Methuen, MA/Methuen HS) took the loss in both games, giving up 16 runs on 19 hits with three strikeouts and ten walks in a combined 9.2 innings of work.

"These were two big wins for us," said UMass Dartmouth Head Coach Amy Sasin. "I was impressed with our discipline at the plate, we were patient and aggressive. It was nice to see the offense come alive today. It was a good confidence builder and we have to maintain that confidence going into our games against UMass Boston."

The Corsairs are now 6-11, while Becker is 4-14. UMD will return to action when they visit UMass Boston n a doubleheader Saturday. Becker will visit Mass Maritime Thursday.